RGV250 Formula 250 Basic Racer

RGV250 Formula 250 Basic Racer

May 2007,

With the continual popularity of 250 production racing around the World, and particularly the wide level of support in the Formula 250 Series in the UK, we thought it would be opportune to make a basic 250 production race bike based on the VJ22. The VJ22 is a favourite in this class of racing globally and with the launch of our new VJ22 GP style bodywork, it seemed a good starting point. This project shows how you can change a stock road bike or bashed up hack into a very tidy race machine ready to take on the opposition. Of course, as the title says, it is just the basics, and you'll need to shop elsewhere for suspension and other performance enhancements but with the parts shown here you are well on your way to winning your first championship!.

So above you have the before and after shots. Our start point was this very tidy 1991 Japanese spec model with stock everything except paint; ideal for commuting or riding to the newsagent's on a Sunday. The pictures on the right show the bike after a few hours work ready to go win some races on the following Sunday!

The most obvious difference between the pictures of the bike before and after is the bodywork. We fitted the race version of our GP bodywork which is made from much lighter components than the ones they replace. The subframe is a fraction of the weight of the stock one and the lightweight epoxy resin/glass panels are strong and won't cost a fortune when you crash. The seat cowling kit is supplied with an autolube container, but because we are running premix, this was not fitted and the undertray cut down in this area for better access and looks. The seat cowling set is supplied with a seat pad which is attached by Velcro for easy removal. This means that it is reusable unlike most stick on pads which are destroyed when you try to remove them for repainting or repair work. The seat cowling set is supplied with an exhaust stay but because we are running side by side chambers, we needed to install a second one on the left side. You need to cut a slot in the seat cowling underneath for the second stay (The right side stay has a slot already cut for it).

As mentioned above, we are running side by side chambers which are the racers choice. They give the same power as the GP TYGA chambers offered but the side by side configuration is favoured by many as the least likely to be damaged in the event of a low side. We chose aluminium silencers because, again, they are inexpensive and are relatively strong.

The bike is fitted with a Tyga Step kit which. The position is raised and more rearward compared to the stock pegs and the levers operate on twin bearings for smooth and precise gear changes and can be installed in either a racing or stock shift pattern.

We also fitted a lightweight aluminium TYGA upper fairing stay and a carbon tank filler cover for cosmetic reasons.

The bike was then fitted with HEL braided brake lines to improve the braking performance, requiring less lever action and more confidence when hard on the brakes.

Of course, you could just leave your bike looking like this...

...or you could start ordering the parts you need now from the list below, as many of our customers have done.